To Boot Top Or Not!

[Zagato]

Do you bother or not, I didn't put one on my last boat but kind of regretted it even though it would be covered in slime/weed after only a couple of months. I am also going to be keeping my boat in over next winter so it's going to look pretty rough over the following year! I won't need to anti-foul the second year just give it a scrub as I am using Jotun Seaqueen.

The only time it's really visible is when you are sailing but only for other sailers pleasure, you can't see it yourself. Think i might do it this time though...

 

[sailorman]

I only have one as it looks better

Do you bother or not, I didn't put one on my last boat but kind of regretted it even though it would be covered in slime/weed after only a couple of months. I am also going to be keeping my boat in over next winter so it's going to look pretty rough over the following year! I won't need to anti-foul the second year just give it a scrub as I am using Jotun Seaqueen.

 

[pvb]

I simply paint the antifouling slightly above the waterline. Easy, and looks good.

 

[greenalien]

Most people use 2 different types of antifoul - hard, scrubbable - like Trilux - for the boot top, and ablating, self-polishing for the main hull body. This wears away naturally and shouldn't be scrubbed, but is designed for continual immersion. The boot top is in the 'splash zone' so it can be dry most of the time, but still remains effective.
This scheme also allows you to use contrasting colours, which looks good.

 

[VicS]

Do you bother or not, I didn't put one on my last boat but kind of regretted it even though it would be covered in slime/weed after only a couple of months. I am also going to be keeping my boat in over next winter so it's going to look pretty rough over the following year! I won't need to anti-foul the second year just give it a scrub as I am using Jotun Seaqueen.

The only time it's really visible is when you are sailing but only for other sailers pleasure, you can't see it yourself. Think i might do it this time though...

I do have a boot top and it is (now) a hard type of antifouling

Its a lot of extra work for little or no extra practical gain.

I think when the tin of Trilux is used up I'll not bother with it any more

 

[30boat]

I painted a nice bootop on my boat but it looks horrible after a few moths on the water because of the weed.It's also very hard to scrub clean.

 

[Lakesailor]

I used Yacht enamel for my boot top. Very easy to clean the slime off.
Just remember to put it on before the antifoul so that the antifoul is over the bottom edge of it.

 

[VicS]

I used Yacht enamel for my boot top. Very easy to clean the slime off.
Just remember to put it on before the antifoul so that the antifoul is over the bottom edge of it.

I assume that is on the lakes

Would it be as suitable in an area like Chichester where the OP keeps his boat

 

[Lakesailor]

Haven't the faintest.
However if you are prepared to use Yacht enamel or other paint systems on a hull down to the waterline, what difference is there?

 

[VicS]

Haven't the faintest.
However if you are prepared to use Yacht enamel or other paint systems on a hull down to the waterline, what difference is there?

It would be Ok provided it was antifouled as high as necessary to prevent weed growth along the water line. This is where people often use a hard AF boot top. Plain GRp or painted topsides would be above that level.

 

[Seajet]

Most people use 2 different types of antifoul - hard, scrubbable - like Trilux - for the boot top, and ablating, self-polishing for the main hull body. This wears away naturally and shouldn't be scrubbed, but is designed for continual immersion. The boot top is in the 'splash zone' so it can be dry most of the time, but still remains effective.
This scheme also allows you to use contrasting colours, which looks good.

+1, spot on if putting a boot top on.

Though I use straightforward contrasting white ( self eroding ) antifoul on a dark blue hull; as the boat is low freeboard already she can do without an enhancing stripe and I can do without the hassle !

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Use Trilux, not cheap, but it only needs to be done once every three years.

 

[Resolution]

I used Yacht enamel for my boot top. Very easy to clean the slime off.
Just remember to put it on before the antifoul so that the antifoul is over the bottom edge of it.

That is just TOO clean and shiny. Have you been at work with the photoshop???
Jealous.

 

[Lakesailor]

Well. I had just painted it.

 

[alahol2]

Just decided to continue with the boot topping even though the Trilux is so expensive. The boat just wouldn't look right without it. The cheaper hard racing antifoulings don't come in a decent shade of red, they are always dirty brown.

 

[[2574]]

We antifoul right up to the first painted hull stripe; works for us: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ul7k1x52muavntl/DSC03906.JPG

 

[Boo2]

I used Yacht enamel for my boot top. Very easy to clean the slime off.
Just remember to put it on before the antifoul so that the antifoul is over the bottom edge of it.

Sorry, what's the reason for this ?

Boo2

 

[oldsaltoz]

There are stick on boot topping tapes available, fast to apply, easy to clean, just a wipe, and last a couple of seasons, beats all that masking.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[Blueboatman]

What Capt Fantastic ses.
Haulouts cost a lot more than the antifouling, so why scrimp?
I go two years plus on ablative ( three coats) and Trilux top 100mm ( 5 or 6 coats, ie one tin). And scrub a few times in the water

 

[Lakesailor]

Sorry, what's the reason for this ?

Boo2

Erodable antifoul is hygroscopic and wicks up water. If you paint a yacht finish over the top edge of the antifoul, the anitifoul will introduce water behind the paint film and you'll get that rash of small blisters lifting the paint. If you paint the hull down to the water line properly and then bring the antifoul up to and slightly over the paint finish it won't compromise the adhesion.